“Lao PDR has made considerable efforts to reduce poverty. We’ve laid strong foundations to graduate from Least Developed Country status by 2020. In the years to come, we’ll focus all our efforts on the implementation of the 8th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan to 2020. We’ll determine clear measures, in a clear action plan, to achieve development in the economic, socio-cultural and environmental spheres.”

“I wish to reaffirm that the Government is a reliable partner in managing the implementation of Official Development Assistance in an effective, transparent way, that helps bring about sustainable development, and of course reaches the people – who are the real beneficiaries.”

Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, said:

“I’m delighted to see that the Sustainable Development Goals are being included in Lao PDR’s 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. The 17 global goals aim to tackle problems that affect us all; poverty, inequality and injustice and climate change by 2030.”

“These goals are part of the broadest, most ambitious agenda for people, planet and prosperity in history, and that is exactly why partnerships are so important. Without new partnerships, new sources of funds and new technology, we won’t meet these vital targets. In this way, the implementation of the Vientiane Partnership Declaration will be key for Lao PDR.”

At today’s Round Table Meeting, UNDP Chief Helen Clark said that the UN is committed to supporting Lao PDR to lead in translating the goals to country-level realities in Asia. World leaders, including Lao PDR’s President Choummaly Sayasone, adopted the goals at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York on 25th of September.

Official Development Assistance makes up less than 7 per cent of Lao PDR’s Gross National Income. The aim in the Vientiane Declaration is to maximize its use and to align it fully with the Government’s development priorities, while also boosting domestic income for development.

The Declaration includes commitments to enhance local development planning, build an inclusive financial sector and develop knowledge sharing networks, including the transfer of new, clean and green technologies.

At today’s Round Table Meeting, 300 delegates from the Lao government, donor and developing countries, UN agencies, business and civil society organisations are working to lay the foundations for action in implementing the 8th Plan, which aims to boost economic, human and environmental benefits simultaneously.

Lao PDR benefits from the Round Table Process, an inclusive national development forum, where the government and partners engage in regular, direct dialogue on policy priorities and programmes.